Christmas wishlists are something of a novelty to me. Usually, when I want something, I get it for myself so by the time Christmas comes around, I don't really want or need anything. I guess wishlists are more like a checklist for me then, especially this one, as I'll be going overseas for the holiday season & these are the things I'll be looking out for...

An article in the New York Times by Allen Myerson highlighted the importance and necessity of sweatshops for developing nations. He, along with a handful of other economists, argue that sweatshops are a guaranteed gateway for developing nations to come into their own by generating a national economy, opening job opportunities and giving the push in alleviating poverty.

Economists' support of sweatshop labour is indeed intentionally good, and looks towards the future of developing nations in hopes that they will become developed. However, it is important to realise that the injustice is happening now. People today are being treated poorly, being underpaid, horrifically abused. Is it fair that these thousands of people will have to play martyr and be sacrificed today for change that could occur in 50, maybe 100 years?

This is where Fair Trade comes into play. Fair Trade is a movement that offers a system that benefits both the consumer and the workers, producers and farmers.

Companies that adopt the fair trade system employ workers in developing nations, offering better working conditions, a living wage, sustainability, and an overall general improvement in trading conditions. The use of a fair trading system in developing countries allows for the exact points in Myerson's article to be addressed without the need for sweatshops. Numerous accounts and interviews of workers employed in fair trade manufacturing facilities are enormously proud of their work and happy to be in their position.

There has been an emergence of fair trade companies operating that are coming to and helping those in need. Become a part of the solution. Look for the fair trade logo.

The US Department of Labor defines a sweatshop as a factory that violates 2 or more labour laws. This means a manufacturing facility that breaches human rights. Most commonly, this is in regards to general safety, low wages, long working hours, child labour, and even physical, sexual and mental abuse.

Who uses sweatshops?

Unfortunately, almost every major company and brand that is on the market and doing well. This is because while they are raising prices for their goods/services, their cost of production remains much lower than their expenses. A lot of companies/brands market products for prices in which only a small percentage is enough to cover manufacturing costs, and only a small fraction of that percentage can cover labour costs.

Where are sweatshops?

Sweatshops are commonly placed in developing nations - popularly in China and Bangladesh. The high demand and desperation for jobs in these countries also means lower labour costs and fewer unions that protect the rights of workers than in the West. However, there have been some cases in which sweatshops have been set up in functioning economies under the radar, for instance, in Los Angeles and Britain.

The heartbreaking answer - a large percentage of what we consume daily. From clothes, accessories, toys, technology, right down to the food we eat. For instance, cocoa farms employ 'farmers', sometimes under the age of 14, to work long days with little pay to endure physical labour in unsafe working conditions to provide cocoa for chocolate, no less.

A case for more sweatshops...?

Sweatshops were a topic of study for me in university for one of my units, and we had to read this article. It puts forward the point that developing nations and their governments need sweatshops to increase their economy as well as provide job opportunities for their citizens. If workers in China were being paid the same as workers in the USA, it would make more sense for businesses to stay within the borders of their nation. (More on this soon.)

So then... what can I do?

This is where it gets interesting. We have greater power than we realise. As consumers, we dictate the future of business and marketing. While it seems the big guys in the big buildings with their big wallets are running it all, it's all on us. I found an image that I feel like sums up consumerism brilliantly (although originally about politics I believe):

Artist: TC

From here, there are two routes you can take. First is to shop sweatshop free. This means buying from companies/brands that have ethical standards and abide by laws of human rights. This can be done by checking the label, look for 'Made in Australia' or 'Made in the USA', as opposed to 'Made in China'. To go the extra mile, do background research on companies and brands so you know exactly where your products are coming from.

Otherwise, you can shop Fair Trade. Fair trade means that manufacturing facilities are set up in developing nations, however are closely monitored to ensure safety regulations and human rights laws are well in check. This allows citizens of developing nations to work, learn and live above poverty, as well has help the nation thrive. Buying Fair Trade means that job opportunities arise in developing countries, and the nation's income can thrive allowing the country to move forward on a journey to alleviate poverty.

If you decide to go sweatshop free with me, I will be continuing my research and sharing what I learn, brands that are ethical and other ways we can help.

The issue of sweatshops has been around for years, and too many humans have suffered as a result. The time for change is now, especially when consumers are steering the direction for where business goes next in this unpredictable society. With the rise of the Internet, the world has become smaller than ever and rather than being citizens of our countries, we are citizens of the world. We can come together to make change for our fellow citizens, and for the future of this world.

This time we hit up Wagaya - a Japanese restaurant that brought back a flood of memories from Japan's restaurant Uobei. Not to mention, upon arriving, they scream out 'Welcome!' in Japanese just like they did in Japan. Oh, the memories!

I made a decision. I want to sell some of my stuff that I've been hoarding. Mainly fashion, accessories - but I also want to sell some books, DVD's.. Basically a garage sale! Only thing is, I only have a handful of 'branded' things and I don't really go to markets a lot. Does anyone know of any markets that kindly accept garage-sale type stalls and where I can 'trash & treasure' these items?

You know when you listen to an artist(s) religiously, then forget about them. But now they're touring, so you buy tickets for nostalgia's sake and then all of a sudden, you're head over heels for them all over again.

Angus & Julia Stone took over my iPod for a very long time in my life, and I refused to listen to much else. Last night, I attended their concert now that they're (finally) united and it was magic.

I didn't take many photos, because I realised recently: I never look back on concert photos & foccusing on your camera takes away from the experience. Obvious but I was oblivious.

Their music left the audience dead-silent and in awe while they played, and erupting in whistles and applaud quickly after. I've attended quite a lot of concerts I'd say, and I've never seen a show so musically raw and musically focussed. I was in awe of the experience and if you get a chance, I'd highly recommend seeing them live.

Also, I intended on doing an outfit post showing off my kimono, but I got shy. Next time... I hope.

It comes in a pack of three; baby pink, light blue & red. It's so not something I would usually buy, but it's one of my favourite stationery purchases I've ever made (and trust me, I've made a lot.) The paper is also crisp white which I adore, and the details are so cute. Rifle Paper Co. definitely know what they're doing.

Coming home to Australia is always kind of bummy because we just don't do restaurants like other countries. Nonetheless, one that wasn't too far off is a burger place called Grill'd.

I've heard SO many people talk about this place, but because I'm not one to eat out too often, I'd never really tried it out. Until now.

Drinks!

Shirley wirley being all curly.

We got the sliders. Pat ordered ones with wasabi & just a normal cheeseburger. It was really good! Burgers are always good.

Burger time. I can't remember which was Pat's and which was Shirley's...

I ordered the pomegranate salad. I wasn't feeling the burgers in the moment (shock horror!) and the pomegranate seeds, quinoa & goat's cheese just really spoke to me. It was delicious, but something I could make at home, let's be honest.

Grill'd was good. It's nothing fancy - but a good place to eat out if you're just looking to take a break from cooking and want a solid, fool-proof choice of restaurant.

But I had always put off reading the Bible because I had a King James version & would get lost halfway through the verse, and be so confused as to what was going on.

A few weeks ago I decided to put my foot down & finally purchase a new Bible & a new book, to document.

For my notebook, I went with Moleskine's Large Notebook in Khaki. I've heard they're incredibly good quality & since I want to keep this notebook with me, well forever, I decided I'd stick with the safe. What I like about this notebook in particular however, is that it's soft cover. I don't know why, but that appeals to me more so than the regular black hardcovers. One thing to note about Moleskine that I didn't know is that they use ivory paper, not white. I kind of didn't like that at first, but I'm coming around to it.

For my Bible, I chose the English Standard Version as my choice & I am so glad that I did. It's leatherbound & the font is really easy to read. More importantly, I actually UNDERSTAND it. If you're a fellow follower of Jesus and looking to purchase a new Bible, I used this website that compares a few verses in different translations to see which is best suited for you.

Please note, I'm not looking to preach or impose on anyone's beliefs, just simply sharing the love. You can focus on the Moleskine part of this post solely, if you'd like. It is a pretty cool notebook!

Burgers are my favourite food. Just the thought of a big sloppy, juicy, salty patty can make my stomach turn upside down in hunger. This post is a kind of agony to type up. Nonetheless, I will march on through to bring you one of the best burger places I have ever come across, right in the heart of Tokyo.

The interior design definitely has a 'Tumblr' vibe to it & I would imagine, appeals to the young'uns. We visited this restaurant on two occasions (in two days, but let's not speak about that). Lunch offered a free salad buffet.

By salad, they mean a variation of vegetables & potato salad. Nonetheless, still delicious. I recommend Goma dressing - which is a Japanese sesame dressing that I am now obsessed with. Shirley even bought a bottle to take home!

Onto the goods! Drinks were a Coke for Shirley (not pictured).

Patrick's iced tea.

And my green tea with jasmine iced tea! I'm a big fan of iced tea but for some reason, it never occurred to me that I could ice up my favourite flavour of tea. Strange.

It was freakin' delicious and I wish I had it with me right now.

Patrick decided he was feeling a little belly-guilt from all the food we'd been eating on the holiday, so he decided against a burger & for their breakfast special instead.

Having said that, he still ordered a side of onion rings.

Shirley's teriyaki burger. Oh my goooooosh.

And my burger. The J.S. Burger with pineapple. HELLO!

There are few words to describe, with justice, the experience I had while eating this burger. Twice.

Because the burgers are so deliciously juicy, they offer these paper sheets as holders for your burger to help the sauces stay off your hand & transport into your belly.

And the fries. Oh the fries. The BEST fries ever, we decided, three-fold.

I'm talking major crunch on the outside. Perfectly fluffy on the inside. And a perfect amount of seasoning.

The servings seem small, but hand-in-hand with your burger, it all feels you up so well leaving you entirely satisfied.

I'll let you in on a secret. I don't really love eating out. I usually think it's over-priced, hyped up & rarely do I get excited about it, especially not more than a home-cooked meal. But J.S. Burger is a restaurant I would recommend in a heartbeat to anyone. If you ever visit J.S. Burger, I urge you, so much to visit this cafe for one of the best culinary experiences of you life.

I purposefully posted this restaurant review last to end on a high note for the final post of my Japan round-up. It has been so much fun posting these as a hit of reminiscence for me while I'm back home. I post for the public, but also for personal reasons so I can share these moments with my personal circle & also for my future self. Thank you for reading if you have done, and bearing with my insane amounts of spam Japan posts. If you would like to talk about travelling in Japan (or anywhere!) you can email me at rebeccalayblog@gmail.com otherwise my Japan chats are over... for now.